NHS CONTENT PURCHASING:
SUGGESTIONS & GUIDANCE FOR LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGERS

The OGC Buying Solutions Framework for the purchase of Books, Journals and Electronic Media has expired and work is underway to develop a replacement Framework. The following guidance provide suggestions for electronic and print content purchasing for NHS library services managers for the period whilst no Framework is available to purchase from.

PROCUREMENT & PURCHASING PROCEDURES

  • Any purchasing activity is subject to normal public sector procurement rules and your local standing financial instructions (SFIs). THESE SHOULD BE FOLLOWED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE FOR ALL NHS PROCUREMENTS AND ADVISED BY YOUR LOCAL PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT.
  • Waivers – there may be instances where content can only be supplied by a single source or there is a need for continuity of design, or requirement to match existing service. Local SFIs will require justification through a Single Tender Waiver (STW) form.

NHS REQUIREMENTS

  • Checklists of criteriagenerally regarded as core for NHS access to, and delivery ofelectronic content, print books and print journals are now available to support content purchasing activity. NHS entities may also have additional requirements to these core elements.
    Further areas to consider for the listed criteria within the checklists are also provided in order to help support purchasing activity
  • An SLA Checklist outlining suggested standards that could be considered for all electronic content Service Level Agreement schedules is also available. NHS entities may also have additional requirements to these suggestions.

N.B. THE CHECKLISTS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND ARE NOT AN AUTHORATIVE OR EXHAUSTIVE LISTING. REFERENCE MUST ALWAYS BE MADE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO LOCAL SFIs AND PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES.

LICENSING & CONTRACTUAL

Content purchasers MAY wish to refer to the expired OGC Buying Solutions Framework for Books, Journals and Electronic Media documentation for guidance on licensing and contractual terms which provides:

  • aSummary Flyer and Briefing Note, including details of those suppliers originally appointed to the expired Framework;
  • FAQs document;
  • model license and Terms & Conditions for print and electronic content, as well as supplementary clauses for electronic content supply.

Additionally, documentation for the NHS standard terms and conditions of contract for the purchase of goods and supply of services were updated by the DH in November 2010. This sets out standard terms and conditions of contract and is available from the DH NHS Procurement website.

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